title: A novel method to assay herpes simplex virus neutralizing antibodies using BHKICP6LacZ-5 (ELVIS) cells.
abstract: A novel method for determining neutralizing serum antibody titers to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was developed based on reduction of infectivity in BHKICP6LacZ-5 (ELVIS) cells; baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells that have been genetically engineered to contain the Escherichia coli LacZ gene under the control of an inducible herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) promoter. The test has a semiautomated, colorimetric readout resulting in rapid, objective readings of infectivity reduction. Extent of neutralization is calculated against a calibration curve of virus infectivity generated in each run. HSV-2 neutralizing activity can be detected with serum dilutions in excess of 1:5120.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dalessio
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Sekulovich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D006224:Cricetinae; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D014709:Vero Cells; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D001616:beta-Galactosidase